[SOLVED] Return prompt after accessing nohup.out (bash)

Issue

I'm running a Python script from bash using nohup. The script is executed via my bashrc as part of a shell function. If I run it like this:

function timer { 
    nohup python path/timer.py $1 $2 > path/nohup.out 2>&1 &
    echo 'blah'
}

Everything works and I get my prompt back. However, if instead of echo I call tail to access the end of the nohup output file, like this:

function timer { 
    nohup python path/timer.py $1 $2 > path/nohup.out 2>&1 &
    tail -f path/nohup.out
}

my prompt is not returned. I would like to see the contents of nohup.out and get back to the prompt without having to use CTRL-c.

I have followed the advice here, but adding </dev/null yields the same results as above.

Solution

You won't get prompt.

Because, tail -f will always watch the file (path/nohup.out) to output appended data as the file grows. You can try tail -n to get last 10 lines of path/nohup.out.

Answered By - sat

Answer Checked By - Gilberto Lyons (WPSolving Admin)